STAR Awards
SHPE proudly recognizes and celebrates its SHPE Technical Achievement and Recognition (STAR) Award recipients each year during the SHPE National Convention.
These prestigious awards honor outstanding professionals and students for their dedication, commitment, and selfless efforts to advance Hispanics in STEM careers. The STAR Awards also recognize a company and government agency for demonstrating significant, measurable, and visible assistance to further SHPE’s programs as well as Hispanics in STEM. Please join us at the National Convention to honor and recognize all of our award winners!
Do you know someone who should be honored with a STAR Award? Please look for the nomination application in early Spring. If you would like further details, please email [email protected].

SHPE proudly recognizes and celebrates its SHPE Technical Achievement and Recognition (STAR) Award recipients each year during the SHPE National Convention.
Do you know someone who should be honored with a STAR Award? Please review the information below and submit your nomination by July 15.

2023 Call for Nominations
Do you know a STAR in STEM?
Do they also represent SHPE’s values of familia, education, service, and resilience? If so, we hope you’ll nominate them for a 2023 STAR Award!
HAVE QUESTIONS OR LOOKING FOR TIPS?
Watch the informational session from June 8 about the SHPE Technical Achievement and Recognition (STAR) Award nomination and selection process led by Chair Diana Gomez and the STAR Awards Committee.
In addition to the recording, the presentation slides may be downloaded here.
2023 STAR Award Honorees

Company of the Year
Bank of America

Academic Institution of the Year
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Hispanic ERG of the Year
Chevron Corporation

Rodrigo Garcia Founder's Award
Julio Grapa
P&G

Jaime Oaxaca Award
Antonina Robles
HP Inc.

Dr. Ellen Ochoa Award
Brenda Isaza
The Boeing Company

Rubén Hinojosa STEM Champion Award
Jose Antonio Tijerino
The Hispanic Heritage Foundation

Rubén Hinojosa STEM Champion Award
Ray Mellado (1948-2022)
Great Minds in STEM

Climate Sustainability Award
Dr. Miguel O. Román
Leidos

Community Service Award
Saul Montano
Collins Aerospace

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award
Angela M. Rucks
Bank of America

Educator Achievement Award - Higher Education
Juan D. Ocampo
St. Mary's University

Entrepreneur Award
Dr. Isaac Rodriguez
SweetBio, Inc.

Executive Achievement Award - Corporate
Dr. Sandra Hernández
Chevron Corporation

Executive Achievement Award - Government
Ivan Pereira
Naval Surface
Warfare Center

Innovator Award
Marc Velasco
IBM

Managerial Excellence Award - Corporate
Alonso Navarrete
Cummins Inc.

Managerial Excellence Award - Government
Briana Marie Pierce
United States Air Force

Role Model Award - Graduate
Carolina A. Colón
Georgia Institute of Technology

Role Model Award - Professional
Benjamin Gonzalez Vazquez
Bechtel Global Corporation

Role Model Award - Undergraduate
Leah Flores-Cabrera
Michigan State University

STAR of Today Award -Corporate
Krystal Puga Northrop Grumman Corporation

STAR of Today Award - Government
Anthony Louis Garcia
Sandia National Laboratories

STAR of Tomorrow Award - Corporate
Ernesto E Covarrubias
The Boeing Company

STAR of Tomorrow Award - Government
Iker Liceaga-Indart
NASA

STEM Warrior Award
Paola Estrada
United States Air Force

Young Investigator Award
Joaquin Resasco
The University of Texas at Austin
Company of the Year
Cummins Inc.
Government Agency of the Year
National Security Agency
Hispanic ERG of the Year
ExxonMobil Global Organization for the Advancement of Latinos
Rubén Hinojosa STEM Award
U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, California
Rubén Hinojosa STEM Award
U.S. Senator John Cornyn, Texas
Rubén Hinojosa STEM Award
Congressman Tony Cardenas, California, U.S. House of Representatives
Rubén Hinojosa STEM Award
Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar, Florida, U.S. House of Representatives
Jaime Oaxaca Award
Nora E. Rincon
General Motors
Rodrigo Garcia Founder’s Award
The Garcia Family
Dr. Ellen Ochoa Award
Joelle C. Romeu
The Boeing Company
Advisor of the Year
Julieta O. Vallejos
Florida International University
Community Service Award
Mónica Morales, PE
Jacobs
Corporate Achievement Award
Carlos L. Enllanche
Chevron
Diversity Award
Maira Garcia
Honeywell Aerospace
Educator of the Year – K-12
César Alejandro Llontop Barahona
New London Adult & Continuing Education
Hispanic in Technology Award – Government
Rudy J. Garcia
Sandia National Laboratories
Innovator Award
Dr. Marvi A. Matos Rodriguez
The Boeing Company
Manager of the Year
Gerardo Zúñiga Guerra
Medtronic
Professional Role Model Award
Lázaro Herrera
General Atomics ASI
Promising Engineer Award
Hector Sabillon
John Deere
SHPE Star of Today
Gabriela Michel Sánchez-Sorondo
General Motors
SHPE Star of Tomorrow
Milena Nino Sowell
ExxonMobil Corporation
Student Role Model Award – Undergraduate
Justin J. Arbaiza
California State University Northridge
Student Role Model Award – Graduate
Adriana Mulero-Russe
Georgia Institute of Technology
Young Investigator Award
Dr. Yvonne J. Diaz
Dow, Inc